Revitalization of Jelgava’s Oldtown Street Quarter
About this good practice
The cultural heritage was renovated within the framework of the project "Preservation and development of important cultural-historical heritage for the improvement of cultural tourism offer in the Zemgale region". The project was carried out by implementing the operational program "Growth and employment" 2014-2020. Jelgava’s Oldtown Street Quarter is the oldest part of the city (18th-19th century) with wooden buildings. The quarter has preserved a unique historically formed street network and the character of the building. In order to promote the attractiveness of the place, its economic development restoration work started in 2018. To preserve the authenticity of the buildings as much as possible minimal intervention principles were followed. The renovation works were carried out in joint effort of professionals. This innovative project reveals a different type of exhibitions, cross-sectoral cooperation and a new way of approaching visitors. The main goal was to create a synergy between the culture heritage, the traditional craft skills, entrepreneurship and modern technologies. After completing the work, Old Town House features a modern interactive exhibition "The house tells". Zemgale Restoration Centre ensures the long-term preservation of cultural and historical monuments. The House of Latvian Traditions and Crafts offers workshops on traditional craft skills. The main stakeholders are the local community, tourists, historians, craftsmen, entrepreneurs.
Resources needed
Approx. 4.8 million euros have been invested comprising ERDF, state and municipal financing. A tourism information point has been established. Operational costs (building management, staff salaries etc.) for the objects covered by the municipality are approx. 225,000 EUR per year.
Evidence of success
Jelgava’s Oldtown Street Quarter has become a remarkable tourism and cultural heritage hub with an ever-increasing number of visitors (1451 visitors in 2022; 5155 in 2023). The Old Town House has been evaluated in various competitions. 1st place in the nomination "Restoration" in the "Best Building of the Year in Latvia 2019" ; 3rd place in the nomination "The most sustainable building - public building" in competition "Sustainability in architecture, construction, design in the Baltics 2023".
Potential for learning or transfer
Such a practice would be interesting for degraded territories that contain significant landscape, historical, natural and other values. The tourism and museums European-wide have the opportunity to learn from the experience of the Jelgava`s Oldtown Street Quartal restoration on how to innovate and digitize the culture sites, creating unique visitor experience and active participation. It brings together the local authority, the local community, entrepreneurs with the aim of promoting local cultural heritage and to contribute to the development of sustainable tourism and economic development. By offering more activities at the destination, visitors now have the opportunity to diversify their cultural experience, spend more time exploring nearby attractions, which in turn benefits the local economy.
The revitalization of the city`s part promotes cooperation with the local inhabitants, gradually strengthening the sense of belonging and pride of the community.
Further information
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.